Cops: Toms River man caught in lewd act in bathroom

A 52-year-old Mayo Drive man was charged with lewdness Friday after being caught masturbating by police in a public restroom in Winding River Park, said Ralph Stocco, Toms River police spokesman.
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TOMS RIVER – A 52-year-old Mayo Drive man was charged with lewdness Friday after being caught masturbating by police in a public restroom in Winding River Park, said police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

Investigators had been conducting surveillance within the park after receiving public complaints about inappropriate behaviors, Stocco said.

Patrolman Frank Bopp walked into the park’s public bathroom to find Carl Kowalski, with his pants at his ankles, masturbating as a 74-year-old man faced him watching, Stocco said. Kowalski was arrested and charged with lewdness, he added. The other man was not charged.

Bopp is part of a quality of life patrol that is working to rid the parks of lewdness, illegal public drinking, and drug use after complaints were made to officials about multiple incidents, Stocco said.

“Undercover officers will continually be monitoring our public locations so that our residents can feel safe while enjoying the park system with their families,” Stocco said.